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Amazon.ca Canadian Essential
Because of SCTV’s huge influence on comedy, TV, and movies today. Because of John Candy and Eugene Levy and Catherine O'Hara. And, of course, because of Doug and Ken McKenzie.
From Amazon.com
At long last, SCTV is on the air... or at least on DVD! While it never reached the ratings heights or pop culture cachet of Saturday Night Live, SCTV did garner critical buzz and a devoted cult following. As with the Python boys, the ensemble members, and the characters they created to populate the fictional Melonville TV network, are revered in hipper comedy circles. In this respect, SCTV is Letterman to SNL's Leno. This essential five-disc set collects the first nine episodes of the series' Network 90 incarnation, which brightened NBC's Friday late-night lineup in 1981. While original cast member Harold Ramis had since left the show, and Martin Short would join the following year, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis, Catherine O'Hara, and Dave Thomas were SCTV's definitive ensemble (SNL-bound Robin Duke and Tony Rosato, we hardly knew ye). These inaugural episodes are comprised mostly of "the golden classics" (so dubbed by Flahrety's wheelchair-bound station manager Guy Caballero) linked by some new material. Included are such series benchmarks as "The Great White North" segments, featuring Moranis and Thomas as the stereotypically Canadian, parka-wearing, beer-swilling McKenzie brothers; "Play It Again, Bob," starring Moranis as Woody Allen and Thomas as Bob Hope; the ill-fated made-for-SCTV "Polynesiantown" starring Candy's Johnny LaRue; "The Sammy Maudlin Show," starring Flahrety as the most sincerely insincere talk show host, with O'Hara as Lola "I want to bear your children" Heatherton, and "Indira," with Andrea Martin in her signature Evita spoof.
And that's just on disc 1! SCTV could parody Leave It to Beaver and Fantasy Island with the best of them, but anticipating the future Ben Stiller Show, its genius lay in its show business savvy to subvert television and movie convention. When Levy's comedian Bobby Bittman arrives on a talk show, he brings "bloopers" from his congressional testimony. And you don't need to have seen The Oscar to appreciate The Nobel, but it certainly helps. The price is steep, but don't be a hoser. This is the comedy release of the year. And it blows up real good. --Donald Liebenson
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Most helpful customer reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
very disappointing,
By
This review is from: SCTV: Volume 1, Network 90 (DVD)
This set contains a few of the classic skits but my guess is that the funny stuff was done earlier in Canada. There is no Dr Tongue or Scmhenges (SP) Polka show. If you're looking for some of the earlier "no sell out" stuff you won't find it here. NBC crushed them.wwhat we need is "the Last Polka" on DVD buyer beware
4.0 out of 5 stars
Should say "nine 66-minute episodes" and not 90-minutes,
By
This review is from: SCTV: Volume 1, Network 90 (DVD)
I didn't realize there were that many commercials back then but be aware that the episodes are 66 minutes each and not 90 minutes. It's still the full version but I am annoyed at the marketing habit of rounding to the "with commercials" timing. Also included is the live 1989 reunion interview of the SCTV gang by Conan O'Brien (65 minutes) and a series of funny interviews with the gang 20-year after (about 30 minutes). Still, a very funny set.
5.0 out of 5 stars
ROFL,
By Joseph Cesare (San Marcos, CA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: SCTV: Volume 1, Network 90 (DVD)
SCTV Network/90 contained some of the funniest sketch comedy ever performed. I have all of the shows on betamax from their orginal airing. My Betamax player is long gone but I held on to the tapes and thought of one day trying to locate an old player to transfer them.Pieces of this series have been thrown together and rebroadcast as 30 minute reruns on Canadian cable channels but there not the same shown out of context. Some classics from network 90 include (not necessarily from season 1): "The Andy Griffith Show starring Merv Griffin" with Rick Moranis as Merv. "Ouuuu, Aunt Bee's bringing us lunch!" John Candy staring in Monster Chiller Horror Theater's presentaion of "Dr. Tounge's 3D House of Stewardesses." Don't forget to buy those 3D-Glasses from Count Floyd. "Indira" with Indira Ghandi staring as Evita (Andrian Martin). Singing "Don't cry for me Rawalpindi" "Perry Como, Still Alive!" Dave Thomas as a laid back Perry Como making a comeback with a Disco act. This was the clip shown at the Emmy Awards. The next year the real Perry got a special award. I think half the audience thought he was dead and the other half felt sorry for him. And of course Bob and Doug Mckenzie, filling the CBC's requirement for "Canadian Content." Frying back bacon and drinking Molsen. How much more Canadian can you get, you hoser!
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